Harry Potter Flashback

So, I just finished the 5th Harry Potter book, and it brought back memories of the Border's Harry Potter party. (for the last book release)  My darling chum, Amy and I were so fortunate to attend this historical gathering.  I didn't have a blog at the time, so I'm posting the pictures now.  We wanted to go as Hagrid and Lady Maxime, stilts and all, but we didn't have time to put the outfits together.  So I was Prof. Trelawney, and Amy was a witch....but people thought she could be Madame Rosmerta.  Our friend Kim was Hermoine at the Yuletide Ball.

Adorable!  Here are Krum and Hermoine.  The picture doesn't do it justice, this little boy's costume was great.
Severus, with his Dark mark!  Can I just say that the actor in the movies, who plays Snape, is hilarious!  Oh my goodness, they cast the PERFECT person.  
Rita Skeeter of the Daily Prophet.  I saw "The Grim" in her future, but her notorious quill only wrote that it was a load of rubbish, and that she predicts that I won't brush my hair for another 10 years. 
And here we are, being our silly selves.  'Twas a lovely evening.

Ultimate relaxation

So, I thought I would continue the trend with a little blog about reading.  When I can, I like to make reading a luxurious experience, and let me tell you.....it makes me love autumn even more.  So....imagine....you're off work, the house is decently clean, dinner is done, the tv is off...and a charming book waits for you....beckoning.  I say to myself, "Don't mind if I do."  I pull on my fluffy robe, its warmth and softness enveloping me...it's the perfect blanket to wrap up in.

Now, off to the kitchen, no serious reading session is complete without LICORICE SPICE TEA.  No worries, its herbal tea.  I've tried other teas, but this, with one packet of equal, makes me want to say...MMMmmmm, after every sip.  Seriously....you must try it, and DON'T forego the packet of sweetener, it makes a huge difference.  It's the perfect indulgence that is 100% guilt free.  No sugar, no calories...no nothing!  And I'm helping get my 6-8 glasses of water in a day.  My dear, dear licorice spice.  I've also become an old lady, and can get 2 mugs of tea out of 1 bag....LOL.
Now, a little ambience.  I light some candles, and turn off all the lights that aren't near my reading chair, and now I'm basking in just enough glow.  And warm socks?   A MUST!  Now I'm ready to dive in.  Where did I leave off last time? 
Okay, so I've just recently added reading back into my leisure time.  I just finished my Bachelor's in English this last June, and I DID NOT want to pick up a book.  I was so burnt out with reading, even easy books were abhorrent.  But now, I've had enough time away from the grind, and I'm loving being able to read WHATEVER I want....like Harry Potter.  Yes, I ashamedly admit, I haven't finished them all yet, but I'm getting there.  I am a big fan though, I even went to the midnight book release at Borders, as Professor Trelawney....oh yeah.  

I realize all the moms out there are probably rolling their eyes thinking....who has time to read?  especially with peace and quiet?  I am fully aware that life definitely won't always be like this, but I'll enjoy this now, and enjoy what's coming up when it comes up.   

The FRUIT FLY PHANTOM!

So, Chad and I have been having a little fruit fly problem and the other day, we showed them who was boss.  We each took 2 paper back books and used them as giant fly squashers!!! MOOOhHAHHAHAHA!  It worked awesome.  Now, I am somewhat ashamed because being an English major, I respect the authors of these books, and now the book covers have fly guts all over them.  I realize this may gross many of you out, but I've never had a better time getting rid of pests.  Chad and I were just having a blast....smash....smack.....GOT 'EM!  So, I am glad to report that we have ridden the kitchen of these flying vermin with our mad book weapon skills along with a clever trap my mother uses....cider vinegar, sugar, and dish soap.....they just can't resist.  I would also like to note, that it was them who invaded our territory and we were merely defending ourselves, this is completely just, as the examples in the B of M show us.  : ) tehe.  As for Christopher Marlowe, and Wendell Berry, I apologize for the disrespect shown towards your literature, but please know I have an even great appreciation for the way you can change my life for the better.   

Falloween decor

I am a bargain decorator....major.  Bargain decorating has its pros and cons.  It's takes more work, creativity, time, and patience BUT costs less, and gives you a feeling of accomplishment.  I have a strategy...it's quite extensive, but I'm always SO happy when I'm done.  When I know I want to decorate for a new season, I start with looking around for ideas.  I thumb through magazines at the store, browse martha stewart's website, and this year, I looked at blogs.  Then, I take out ANYTHING i could use that I already have....such as fabric in the right colors, pretty glasses, frames, food, and miscellaneous stuff I've gotten at garage sales.  My house becomes a wreck to help hone my creative process.  I assess what I have and try to put it around the house...this way I can tell if I need more.  So by this time, I have modern ideas/inspiration floating in my head, I know what I have to work with....now it's time for BARGAIN HUNTING.  Off to St. Vincent.  I find great candle holders and candles.  At the dollar store I get some pumpkins and orange stuff to help round out the splashes of orange I want to use.  I bring it all back, and start arranging....then I have to clean up whatever I don't use, and I'm done.  Here are the results.  

Pillows!  I sewed the orange one last year....super cheap cuz I made a slipcover for a pillow I already had...and by doing this, you only have to sew 3 seems, one hem, and NO HANDSTITCHING.  Plus, when the season is over, I take it off and throw on something different.  For the back, I used spare fabric I already had too.  Oh yeah. 

These pics are for my sister.  She just finished interior design school, and I needed help deciding what color to paint the living room.  She rescued Chad and I from almost doing orange....when we have a yellow dining room across the hall.  Talk about citrus, psycho clown circus house.  I've NEVER been happier with a wall color....BEAUTIFUL...thanks Nicole.  Anyway, I found the perfect curtains for them.  I'm am a genius.  They are 2 twin sheets from Wal-mart, less than $6 a panel!  I didn't have to sew ANYTHING.  I just cut slits in the top so the rod could go through it.  Plus, they are twice as wide as normal curtain panels so I have more room to gather them.  Now, it really helps balance the blue accent wall and anchor the window.  Booyah!
This is my orange motif.  I love changing the rocks in our fish's bowl depending on what look I'm going for.  Last time, I did yellow and green rocks for the beginning of the Duck football seaon.  We love our goldfish, and they are also my favorite decoration in the house...lol.  One of them was from a centerpiece at our wedding, and the other we adopted from Chad's sister Hailey.  Bruno and Patrick are so happy, and they perfectly match the fall season.  

Okay, I admit this centerpiece is kinda ugly, but if I had bigger, better candles it would be a ton better.  But lets face it, nice candles are spendy, and they don't last that long if you actually burn them.

These are Martha Stewart inspired, and they cost me $0.  I painted funky frames I already had.  Then I printed out cool templates from Martha's website.  I cut out the figures in fabric I already had, and covered cardboard from cereal boxes with fabric for the background.  The fabrics have subtle patterns on them for more dimension.  I glued the shapes on with a glue stick.  I just love them.  Oh, and the little shelf?  $.50 at a garage sale.  

Now I can sit back, and enjoy my house.....MMMMmmmmm, I feel like cider.

Shake your thang!

I haven't blogged in awhile cuz I don't have any new pics, but it's been too long. So, there may be no pics, but I've compensated with silliness. Warning: If you consider yourself a serious person, who only takes delight in serious endeavors, this may be too frivolous for your taste.

So, I've started working out again, and I'm loving it. It's the best way to escape anything bad that is going on....you just hop on the treadmill, listen to some tunes, and run away from all the crud in the world for a while. Then, after busting your buns, you sit down for a nice stretch and chill with some mellow music. Lovely. Okay, it's not all bliss, it's challenging, and sometimes the stupid clock on the machine goes so slow...but it is always worth it in the end. I think about the STUPIDEST things when I'm working out. For instance, I'll imagine I'm in a race against someone I would just love to beat, and my family is on the sidelines cheering me on....and ofcourse I win. Ha ha. I don't care though, cuz it's just my time-out/time-away from life. Plus, I get to wear shorts and pretend it's summer....sweet!

Can I just say, I love dancing around the house? Turn on some Elvis, Pink Martini or the Hairspray soundtrack, and I'll work up a sweat in no time. I never do this in front of Chad though...but he's has caught me a few times. Sorry, I just love being ridiculous sometimes. Plus, let's face it, shaking your booty can't help but make you smile. I think I should work-up a line of aerobics tapes.

Well, everyone has inspired me to start decorating the house for fall. I got this pumpkin spice lotion at Target for $1.00, it's delightful. It's not very potent, but gives a subtle sweetness. Although I wish it were still summer, I'm going to try and enjoy the fall. Maybe I'll watch You've Got Mail, that always gets me excited for autumn. "Don't you just love New York in the fall?"